Electronic pen

ABSTRACT

An electronic pen is realized which includes a side switch that has a simple configuration and enables instruction inputs of a plurality of states to be performed easily and properly. The electronic pen has a side switch unit provided at a side surface of a pen body to be gripped by a user. The side switch unit includes a sensor unit in which capacitive sensors and pressure sensing sensors are provided as two kinds of touch sensors of different detection systems such that sensor regions (detection regions) are superimposed on each other. Thus, at least a case of performing an operation in such a manner as to act on one touch sensor and a case of performing an operation in such a manner as to act on both touch sensors simultaneously can be indicated through the side switch unit.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an electronic pen that enablesinformation to be input by indicating coordinates to a positiondetecting device incorporated in an electronic apparatus such as atablet personal computer (PC), for example.

Description of the Related Art

Some electronic apparatuses such as tablet PCs and advanced mobiletelephone terminals referred to as smart phones or the like enableindication input by an electronic pen for finer drawing input through anincorporated position detecting device. Enabling the use of what isgenerally called a side switch also in such an electronic pen has beenconsidered. The side switch in the electronic pen refers to a switchthat is provided to a side surface of the electronic pen in such amanner as to be operable by a finger while the electronic pen isgripped.

Some side switches in electronic pens are, for example, formed by usinga small switch that is mechanically switched on/off. However, PatentDocument 1 discloses a design related to an electronic pen in which aside switch is formed by using a touch sensor in order to realize aneasy-to-use electronic pen (position indicator) such that an operationpressure on the side switch is light. The electronic pen of the designdisclosed in Patent Document 1 is formed by connecting touch sensorelectrodes forming a pair (set) as variable resistance elements to atuning circuit including a coil and a capacitor, and providing the touchsensor electrodes forming a pair to a side surface of a casing of theelectronic pen.

A user can change a characteristic such as a reactance, an impedance, orwhat is generally called a Q-value of the tuning circuit by establishinga connection between the touch sensor electrodes forming a pair by afingertip. That is, an on/off state of the side switch can be indicatedby the characteristic of the tuning circuit which characteristic changesbetween a case where a connection is established between the touchsensor electrodes forming a pair by a finger and a case where noconnection is established therebetween. Incidentally, the electronic penof the design disclosed in Patent Document 1 is of an electromagneticcoupling type that performs position indication or the like bytransmitting and receiving a magnetic field between a position detectingdevice and the electronic pen.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENT Patent Document

-   Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. Hei06-65929

BRIEF SUMMARY Technical Problems

In the case of the design disclosed in Patent Document 1, instructionsthat can be given through the side switch are on/off switchingoperations. In order to enable instruction inputs of a plurality ofstates, a plurality of pairs of (sets of) touch sensor electrodes needto be provided, as illustrated in FIG. 1B of Patent Document 1. In thiscase, because the area of the side surface of the electronic pen islimited, operability may be impaired by, for example, making itdifficult to hold the electronic pen in the case where the plurality ofpairs of touch sensor electrodes are provided. In addition, an erroneousoperation may tend to occur in the case where the plurality of pairs of(sets of) touch sensor electrodes are provided.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present disclosure torealize an electronic pen including a side switch that has a simpleconfiguration and enables instruction inputs of a plurality of states tobe performed easily and properly.

Technical Solution

In order to solve the above-described problems, there is provided anelectronic pen including a tubular casing configured to be held by auser, and a side switch unit provided at a side surface of the tubularcasing and configured to receive an operation input by the user, theside switch unit including a sensor unit in which two kinds of touchsensors of different detection systems are disposed such that respectivesensor regions of the two kinds of the touch sensors are superimposed oneach other.

According to this electronic pen, the side switch unit is provided tothe side surface of the tubular casing to be held by the user. This sideswitch unit includes the sensor unit in which the two kinds of touchsensors of different detection systems are disposed such that therespective sensor regions (detection regions) of the two kinds of touchsensors are superimposed on each other. Thus, at least a case ofperforming an operation in such a manner as to act on one touch sensorand a case of performing an operation in such a manner as to act on bothtouch sensors simultaneously can be indicated through the side switchunit.

Incidentally, the words “touch sensor” in the present specificationrefers to a sensor that detects proximity or contact of a finger of ahuman body as a dielectric, a sensor that detects application of apressure by being pressed by a finger of a human body or the like, andthe like. In other words, the touch sensor includes various sensors thatdetect operations by a finger of a human body and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of assistance in explaining anexample of a configuration of a side switch unit of an electronic penaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams of assistance in explaining a laminatedstructure of the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to theembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams of assistance in explaining a sensor unitincluded in the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to theembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are diagrams of assistance in explaining modes ofoperation on the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to theembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams of assistance in explaining modes ofoperation on the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to theembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams of assistance in explaining modes ofoperation on the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to theembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of assistance in explaining association of the modesof operation on the side switch unit of the electronic pen according tothe embodiment of the present disclosure with instruction contents.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of assistance in explaining an example of aconfiguration of an electronic pen in a case of multiplexing contents ofoperation on the side switch unit in a position indication signal andsending out the multiplexed operation contents.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of assistance in explaining an example of aconfiguration of an electronic pen in a case of sending out contents ofoperation on the side switch unit by short-range wireless communication.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment of an electronic pen according to the present disclosurewill hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings. Aselectronic pen systems, there are various systems such as an activecapacitive coupling system (active electrostatic (AES) system) and anelectromagnetic induction system (electro magnetic resonance (EMR)system). The electronic pen according to the present disclosure ischaracterized by the configuration of a side switch unit. Therefore, theelectronic pen according to the present disclosure is applicable toelectronic pens of any system as long as the electronic pen has a sideswitch. In the following, description will be made of the electronic penaccording to the present disclosure, centering on the configuration ofthe characteristic side switch unit.

Example of Configuration of Side Switch Unit

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of assistance in explaining anexample of a configuration of a side switch unit of an electronic penaccording to the embodiment. The electronic pen according to the presentdisclosure is formed by mounting an electronic pen main body unit in anexternal casing. The external casing in the case of the electronic penillustrated in FIG. 1 is a part including a front cap FC, a pen body PB,and a rear cap (not illustrated). The front cap FC is a tapered(taper-shaped) part that is fitted to a distal end side of the pen bodyPB and from which a pen tip portion of a core body is protruded. The penbody (tubular casing) PB is a part held by a user. The rear cap is apart having a function of closing a rear end opening of the pen body PB.In addition, though not illustrated in the figure, the electronic penmain body unit mounted within the external casing is a part that isformed by including various parts such as the core body, a pen pressuredetecting portion, a circuit board, and a battery and which implementsfunctions as an electronic pen, the functions including a positionindicating function and the like.

Further, the electronic pen according to the present embodiment includesthe side switch unit that is formed by using two kinds of touch sensorsof different detection systems. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the pen bodyPB is of a substantially cylindrical shape, and an upper side part of aside surface of the pen body PB is flat. This flat part of the sidesurface of the pen body PB will be described as a planar portion PBu. Arectangular opening portion PBh for providing the side switch unit isprovided at a position of the planar portion PBu which position isslightly to the front cap FC side. In the part of the opening portionPBh in the electronic pen according to the present embodiment, the sideswitch unit is formed by laminating a holding member 1, an elasticmember 2, a sensor unit 3, and an operating member 4.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 , the holding member 1 is of a substantiallycylindrical shape, and as in the pen body PB, an upper side part of aside surface of the holding member 1 is flat. The flat part of the sidesurface of the holding member 1 will be described as a planar portion 1u. The planar portion 1 u is provided with one pair of first projectingportions (ribs) 11 and 12 having a width extending in a directionintersecting an axial direction and a second projecting portion (pivot)13 having a width extending in the axial direction. In addition, theplanar portion 1 u of the holding member 1 is provided with a fittinghole 14 on a front end side and a fitting hole 15 on a rear end side.The holding member 1 is inserted into the pen body PB as indicated by anarrow IN in FIG. 1 , and is pushed into the part of the opening portionPBh. Projections provided at both ends of the planar portion 1 u of theholding member 1 engage with projections on an inner wall surface of thepen body PB, so that the holding member 1 is fixed in a position PBa.The planar portion 1 u of the holding member 1 is visible through theopening portion PBh in a state in which the holding member 1 is fixed inthe position PBa.

The elastic member 2 in a rectangular shape is mounted through theopening portion PBh onto the planar portion 1 u of the holding member 1fixed in the position PBa within the pen body PB. In the presentembodiment, the elastic member 2 is formed by PORON (registeredtrademark), which is a high-functionality urethane foam. Needless tosay, the elastic member 2 can also be formed by another elasticmaterial, for example, a rubber, a sponge, or the like. The elasticmember 2 functions in such a manner that, when the side switch unit isdepressed, a pressure is applied slowly rather than being appliedsharply. Thus, the elastic member 2 causes pressure sensing sensors tobe described later not to react when the side switch unit is depressedonly slightly, but causes the pressure sensing sensors to function whenthe side switch unit is depressed surely. In addition, first holeportions 21 and 22 are provided at positions of the elastic member 2which positions correspond to the first projecting portions 11 and 12 ofthe holding member 1. In addition, a second hole portion 23 is providedat a position of the elastic member 2 which position corresponds to thesecond projecting portion 13 of the holding member 1.

Thus, when the elastic member 2 is mounted on the planar portion 1 u ofthe holding member 1, the first projecting portions 11 and 12 and thesecond projecting portion 13 of the holding member 1 are fitted into thefirst hole portions 21 and 22 and the second hole portion 23 of theelastic member 2. In the present embodiment, the height of the firstprojecting portions 11 and 12 and the second projecting portion 13 ismade substantially the same as the thickness of the elastic member 2, sothat upper surfaces of the first projecting portions 11 and 12 and thesecond projecting portion 13 are located on substantially the same planeas an upper surface of the elastic member 2.

The sensor unit 3 formed on a flexible board 30 is disposed on the uppersurface of the elastic member 2. The flexible board 30 is a deformableprinted wiring board having flexibility, in which wiring board a thininsulating material, for example, a plastic film, is used. The flexibleboard 30 is an elongate board including a sensor arrangement portion 31,an extending portion 32, and a connector portion 33. The sensorarrangement portion 31 is a part whose lateral width is slightly widenedbecause the sensor unit 3 is disposed on the sensor arrangement portion31. A hole portion 31 a is provided on a front end side of the sensorarrangement portion 31. A hole portion 31 b is provided on a rear endside of the sensor arrangement portion 31.

The extending portion 32 is a part extended in a rear end direction froma rear end of the sensor arrangement portion 31. The extending portion32 has a lateral width narrower than that of the sensor arrangementportion 31. Conductive wires that are led out from the sensor unit 3disposed on the sensor arrangement portion 31 and are extended in therear end direction are disposed on the extending portion 32. Theconnector portion 33 is a part provided, for each conductive wireextended from the sensor unit 3, with a connection terminal to which theconductive wire is connected. Incidentally, as will be described laterin detail, the sensor unit 3 is a part formed by laminating two kinds oftouch sensors of different detection systems in such a manner thatrespective sensor regions of the touch sensors are superposed on eachother.

The thus formed flexible board 30 is inserted from the rear end openingof the pen body PB, and the sensor arrangement portion 31 is positionedon the upper surface of the elastic member 2. The sensor unit 3 disposedon the sensor arrangement portion 31 is thus superposed on the elasticmember 2. In addition, the connector portion (plug portion) 33 of theflexible board 30 is inserted into and connected to a predeterminedconnector portion (jack portion) of the circuit board of the electronicpen main body unit not illustrated.

Thus, detection outputs from the respective touch sensors constitutingthe sensor unit 3 are led out to respective terminal portions of theconnector portion 33 through the extending portion 32, and are suppliedto the circuit board of the electronic pen main body unit notillustrated. The electronic pen main body unit can multiplex thedetection outputs from the touch sensors constituting the side switchunit in a position indication signal and send out the multiplexeddetection outputs to a position detecting device side, or send out thedetection outputs to the position detecting device side by short-rangewireless communication.

The operating member 4 is disposed on an upper surface of the sensorunit 3. The operating member 4 is, for example, a rectangularplate-shaped body formed of a resin material, and is provided with legportions 41 a and 41 b on an outside of a bottom surface of theoperating member 4. When the operating member 4 is mounted onto thesensor unit 3, the leg portions 41 a and 41 b are fitted into thefitting holes 14 and 15 of the holding member 1 through the holeportions 31 a and 31 b of the sensor arrangement portion 31.Consequently, the elastic member 2, the sensor arrangement portion 31having the sensor unit 3 disposed thereon, and the operating member 4are fixed to the holding member 1 fixed to the pen body PB, and functionas the side switch unit of the electronic pen.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are diagrams of assistance in explaining a laminatedstructure of the side switch unit of the electronic pen according to theembodiment. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, FIG. 2A is an external view of a part ona pen tip side which part includes the side switch unit of theelectronic pen according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a sectionalview of the side switch unit sectioned at a position indicated by dottedline arrows in FIG. 2A. The side switch unit of the electronic penaccording to the present embodiment is formed on the side surface on thepen tip side of the electronic pen, as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG.2A, and is of a four-layer structure, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

That is, the side switch unit is formed by mounting the elastic member 2on the planar portion 1 u of the holding member 1 fixed to the part ofthe opening portion PBh within the pen body PB, mounting the sensor unit3 on the elastic member 2, and mounting the operating member 4 on thesensor unit 3. Because the leg portions 41 a and 41 b provided to theoutside bottom surface of the operating member 4 are fitted into thefitting holes 14 and 15 of the planar portion 1 u of the holding member1, the four parts described above function as the side switch unitprovided to the electronic pen without falling apart. Incidentally, inthe side switch unit of the electronic pen according to the presentembodiment, the operating member 4 has a thinness of approximately 0.5mm, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

In the present embodiment, in a state in which the leg portions 41 a and1 b of the operating member 4 are fitted in the fitting holes 14 and 15of the holding member 1, an upper surface of the operating member 4 islocated within substantially the same plane as the planar portion PBu ofthe pen body PB. However, there is no limitation to this. The positionof the upper surface of the operating member 4 can be changed byadjusting the thickness, shape, or the like of the operating member 4,the elastic member 2, or the holding member 1. That is, the position ofthe upper surface of the operating member 4 can be set to be a positionlowered from the planar portion PBu of the pen body PB toward the insideof the pen body PB, or conversely, the position of the upper surface ofthe operating member 4 can be set to be a position protruding outwardfrom the planar portion PBu of the pen body PB.

Incidentally, FIG. 2B does not illustrate the flexible board 30 on whichthe sensor unit 3 is provided in order to simplify the description.Similarly, not illustrated are the first projecting portions 11 and 12and the second projecting portion 13 provided to the planar portion 1 uof the holding member 1 and the first hole portions 21 and 22 and thesecond hole portion 23 of the elastic member 2 which hole portions areprovided in correspondence with these projecting portions.

Thus, the electronic pen according to the present embodiment has thefront cap FC connected to a front end of the pen body PB, and theholding member 1 is inserted into the pen body PB and fixed to the fixedposition PBa corresponding to the opening portion PBh. The side switchunit is formed by laminating the elastic member 2, the sensor unit 3,and the operating member 4 on the holding member 1. As described withreference to FIG. 1 , the detection outputs from the respective sensorsof the sensor unit 3 of the side switch unit are supplied to theelectronic pen main body unit through the conductive wires on theextending portion 32 of the flexible board 30 and the connectionterminals of the connector portion 33.

The electronic pen main body unit is inserted from the rear end openingportion of the pen body PB, and a front end of the electronic pen mainbody unit passes through the inside of the pen body PB, penetrates theholding member 1, and reaches the front cap FC to project a front end(pen tip portion) of the core body from a front end opening of the frontcap FC. The rear cap is fitted to the rear end opening of the pen bodyPB after the electronic pen main body unit is loaded. Thus, theelectronic pen main body unit is fixed to the inside of the externalcasing, and one electronic pen is formed as a whole.

Example of Configuration of Sensor Unit

FIGS. 3A to 3D are diagrams of assistance in explaining the sensor unit3 included in the side switch unit of the electronic pen according tothe embodiment. In FIGS. 3A to 3D, FIG. 3A is a general view of theflexible board 30 on which the sensor unit 3 is provided, and FIG. 3B isa sectional view of the sensor unit 3 as viewed from a directionindicated by a dotted line arrow in FIG. 3A. In addition, in FIGS. 3A to3D, FIG. 3C is a diagram illustrating an example of an arrangement oftouch sensors of different detection systems. In the present embodiment,the two kinds of touch sensors of different detection systems are apressure sensing (resistance film type) sensor and a capacitive sensor.

As also described above, and as also illustrated in FIG. 3A, the sensorunit 3 is disposed on the sensor arrangement portion 31 of the flexibleboard 30. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the sensor unit 3 is formed bylaminating a substrate Bd1, a pressure sensing sensor CH5 (CH6), asubstrate Bd2, and capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 in thisorder from a lower side (flexible board 30 side). The capacitive sensorsCH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 are arranged on the same flat surface, i.e., onthe substrate Bd2, as illustrated in FIG. 3B.

That is, as illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the capacitive sensors CH1,CH2, CH3, and CH4 are arranged in the axial direction (directionindicated by an arrow Ar in FIG. 3C) of the electronic pen. Thecapacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 are capable of detectingwhether or not an operation is performed, by capturing a change incapacitance between a fingertip and a conductive film, and are capableof the detection even when the fingertip is merely brought intoproximity.

The pressure sensing sensors CH5 and CH6 are arranged in a direction(direction indicated by an arrow Cr in FIG. 3D) intersecting the axialdirection of the electronic pen. Incidentally, because FIG. 3B is asectional view as viewed from the direction of the dotted line arrow inFIG. 3A, the pressure sensing sensor CH6 is located on an opposite sideof the pressure sensing sensor CH5, and thus does not appear in FIG. 3B.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the pressure sensing sensor CH5 is formed bybonding a first electrode FE1 and a second electrode FE2 to each otherby an adhesive layer Ads. In the pressure sensing sensor CH5, a voltageis applied to one of the two electrodes (resistance films) opposed toeach other in advance, and when the pressure sensing sensor CH5 isdepressed, the two electrodes approach each other, and a voltage occursin the electrode to which no voltage is applied. The pressure sensingsensor CH5 can thus detect whether or not the pressure sensing sensorCH5 is depressed. Hence, unlike the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3,and CH4, no voltage occurs in the pressure sensing sensor CH5 when thefingertip is merely brought close, and the pressure sensing sensor CH5does not produce a detection output unless a certain degree of pressureis applied. Incidentally, the pressure sensing sensor CH6 is also formedin a manner similar to that of the pressure sensing sensor CH5.

Thus, the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 can detect afingertip of the user when the fingertip approaches to a certaindistance. On the other hand, the pressure sensing sensors CH5 and CH6cannot detect an operation unless pressed by applying a certain degreeof force.

In the electronic pen according to the present embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 3D, the sensor unit 3 (FIG. 3B) is formed bylaminating the substrate Bd1, the pressure sensing sensors CH5 and CH6,the substrate Bd2, and the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 inthis order. Thus, when a finger of the user lightly slides on theoperating member 4, the operation is only detected by the capacitivesensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4. However, suppose that a depressingoperation is performed on the operating member 4 in such a manner as toapply a pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined value. In thiscase, capacitive sensors in a depressed part among the capacitivesensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 and the pressure sensing sensors CH5 andCH6 located on the lower side of the capacitive sensors can detect thepressing operation simultaneously.

Therefore, the side switch unit can receive a slide operation input inwhich only the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 of the sensorunit 3 function. In addition, the side switch unit can receive adepressing operation input in which both the capacitive sensors CH1,CH2, CH3, and CH4 and the pressure sensing sensors CH5 and CH6 functionsimultaneously. In addition, different operation inputs of a pluralityof kinds can be received by taking into consideration also the positionsof sensors that detect the operation inputs.

Specific Examples of Operation Mode

FIGS. 4A to 4C, FIGS. 5A to 5C, and FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams ofassistance in explaining modes of operation on the side switch unit ofthe electronic pen according to the embodiment. FIGS. 4A to 4C arediagrams of assistance in explaining a slide operation that causes onlythe capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 to detect the operationinput without causing the pressure sensing sensors CH5 and CH6 to act.Suppose that, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, a slide-up operation isperformed in which a fingertip of the user is lightly brought intocontact with a position on the pen tip side on the operating member 4 ofthe side switch unit of the electronic pen according to the presentembodiment, and while this state is maintained, the fingertip isslidingly moved in a direction indicated by an arrow a. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 4B, the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4detect the operation by the fingertip in order of CH1→CH2→CH3→CH4.However, because no pressure equal to or higher than the predeterminedvalue is applied, the pressure sensing sensors CH5 and CH6 do not detectthe operation.

In addition, suppose that, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, a slide-downoperation is performed in which a fingertip of the user is lightlybrought into contact with a position on the rear end side on theoperating member 4 of the side switch unit of the electronic penaccording to the present embodiment, and while this state is maintained,the fingertip is slidingly moved in a direction indicated by an arrow b.In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the capacitive sensors CH1,CH2, CH3, and CH4 detect the operation by the fingertip in order ofCH4→CH3→CH2→CH1. However, because no pressure equal to or higher thanthe predetermined value is applied, the pressure sensing sensors CH5 andCH6 do not detect the operation.

Thus, when the slide-up operation described with reference to FIG. 4B isperformed, an information processing device provided with the positiondetecting device can be instructed to scroll up, for example, whichmoves a display image in an upward direction. In addition, when theslide-down operation described with reference to FIG. 4C is performed,the information processing device provided with the position detectingdevice can be instructed to scroll down, for example, which moves thedisplay image in a downward direction.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are diagrams of assistance in explaining push operationsin an upward-downward direction in which operations a pressure equal toor higher than the predetermined value is applied to cause both thecapacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 and the pressure sensingsensors CH5 and CH6 to detect the operation input. Suppose that, asindicated by an arrow c in FIG. 5A, a depressing operation (upper pushoperation) is performed in such a manner as to apply a pressure equal toor higher than the predetermined value to a position on the rear endside on the operating member 4 of the side switch unit. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 5B, the capacitive sensors CH3 and CH4 and thepressure sensing sensors CH5 and CH6 detect the depressing operationsimultaneously.

In addition, suppose that, as indicated by an arrow d in FIG. 5A, adepressing operation (lower push operation) is performed in such amanner as to apply a pressure equal to or higher than the predeterminedvalue to a position on the pen tip side on the operating member 4 of theside switch unit. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, thecapacitive sensors CH1 and CH2 and the pressure sensing sensors CH5 andCH6 detect the depressing operation simultaneously. Thus, when the upperpush operation described with reference to FIG. 5B is performed, theinformation processing device provided with the position detectingdevice can be instructed to click up, for example, which gives aninstruction to display an image located on the upper side of an imagecurrently being displayed. In addition, when the lower push operationdescribed with reference to FIG. 5C is performed, the informationprocessing device provided with the position detecting device can beinstructed to click down, for example, which gives an instruction todisplay an image located on the lower side of the image currently beingdisplayed.

Incidentally, in the case of the electronic pen according to the presentembodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 1 , the planar portion 1u of the holding member 1 is provided with the first projecting portions(ribs) 11 and 12. In this case, one first projecting portion 11 isprovided between the capacitive sensor CH1 and the capacitive sensorCH2, and the other first projecting portion 12 is provided between thecapacitive sensor CH3 and the capacitive sensor CH4.

Thus, when the position indicated by the arrow c in FIG. 5A isdepressed, an effect can be exerted on the capacitive sensors CH3 andCH4, and a stronger pressing force can be exerted on the pressuresensing sensors CH5 and CH6 due to the first projecting portion 11.Similarly, when the position indicated by the arrow d in FIG. 5A isdepressed, an effect can be exerted on the capacitive sensors CH1 andCH2, and a stronger pressing force can be exerted on the pressuresensing sensors CH5 and CH6 due to the first projecting portion 12. Thatis, the first projecting portions (ribs) 11 and 12 act in such a mannerthat a pressing force is surely applied to the pressure sensing sensorsCH5 and CH6 irrespective of whether the pen tip side of the operatingmember 4 is depressed or whether the rear end side of the operatingmember 4 is depressed.

FIGS. 6A to 6C are diagrams of assistance in explaining push operationsin a left-right direction in which operations a pressure equal to orhigher than the predetermined value is applied to cause both thecapacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4 and the pressure sensingsensors CH5 and CH6 to detect the operation input. FIG. 6A assumes acase in which the electronic pen according to the present embodiment isgripped by a hand of the user, and supposes that an arrow e side is aright side and that an arrow f side is a left side. Suppose that, asindicated by an arrow e in FIG. 6A, a depressing operation (right pushoperation) is performed in such a manner as to apply a pressure equal toor higher than the predetermined value to a position on the right sideon the operating member 4 of the side switch unit. In this case, asillustrated in FIG. 6B, the capacitive sensors CH2 and CH3 and thepressure sensing sensor CH6 detect the depressing operationsimultaneously.

In addition, suppose that, as indicated by an arrow f in FIG. 6A, adepressing operation (lower push operation) is performed in such amanner as to apply a pressure equal to or higher than the predeterminedvalue to a position on the left side on the operating member 4 of theside switch unit. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, thecapacitive sensors CH2 and CH3 and the pressure sensing sensor CH5detect the depressing operation simultaneously. Thus, when the rightpush operation described with reference to FIG. 6B is performed, theinformation processing device provided with the position detectingdevice can be instructed to push right, for example, which moves animage currently being displayed to the right side. In addition, when thelower push operation described with reference to FIG. 6C is performed,the information processing device provided with the position detectingdevice can be instructed to push left, for example, which moves theimage currently being displayed to the left side.

Incidentally, in the case of the electronic pen according to the presentembodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 1 , the planar portion 1u of the holding member 1 is provided with the second projecting portion(pivot) 13. In this case, the second projecting portion 13 is providedbetween the pressure sensing sensor CH5 and the pressure sensing sensorCH6. That is, the second projecting portion 13 is provided in such amanner as to separate the pressure sensing sensor CH5 and the pressuresensing sensor CH6 to the left and right, respectively.

Thus, when the position indicated by the arrow e in FIG. 6A isdepressed, an effect is exerted on the capacitive sensors CH3 and CH4.At the same time, because of the presence of the second projectingportion 13, it is possible to exert a pressing force on the pressuresensing sensor CH6 but not to exert a pressing force on the pressuresensing sensor CH5. Similarly, when the position indicated by the arrowf in FIG. 6A is depressed, an effect is exerted on the capacitivesensors CH3 and CH4. At the same time, because of the presence of thesecond projecting portion 13, it is possible to exert a pressing forceon the pressure sensing sensor CH5 but not to exert a pressing force onthe pressure sensing sensor CH6.

FIG. 7 is a diagram of assistance in explaining association of the modesof operation on the side switch unit of the electronic pen according tothe embodiment with instruction contents. Information illustrated inFIG. 7 corresponds to information stored and retained in an instructioncontent determination table formed in a storage device of theinformation processing device provided with the position detectingdevice.

Suppose that the slide-up (upward slide) operation described withreference to FIG. 4B is performed on the side switch unit of theelectronic pen according to the present embodiment. In this case, asindicated in the section of an upward slide in FIG. 7 , such detectionoutputs are obtained that the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4sequentially change from “0 (off)” to “1 (on)” in order ofCH1→CH2→CH3→CH4 and return to “0 (off).” On the other hand, the pressuresensing sensors CH5 and CH6 both remain “0 (off).” When such detectionoutputs are obtained, the information processing device side candetermine that an instruction for sliding up is given, and performprocessing accordingly.

In addition, suppose that the slide-down (downward slide) operationdescribed with reference to FIG. 4C is performed on the side switch unitof the electronic pen according to the present embodiment. In this case,as indicated in the section of a downward slide in FIG. 7 , suchdetection outputs are obtained that the capacitive sensors CH1, CH2,CH3, and CH4 sequentially change from “0 (off)” to “1 (on)” in order ofCH4→CH3→CH2→CH1 and return to “0 (off).” On the other hand, the pressuresensing sensors CH5 and CH6 both remain “0 (off).” When such detectionoutputs are obtained, the information processing device side candetermine that an instruction for sliding down is given, and performprocessing accordingly.

In addition, suppose that the upper push operation described withreference to FIG. 5B is performed on the side switch unit of theelectronic pen according to the present embodiment. In this case, asindicated in the section of an upper push in FIG. 7 , the capacitivesensors CH3 and CH4 change to “1 (on),” and the pressure sensing sensorsCH5 and CH6 both change to “1 (on).” When such detection outputs areobtained, the information processing device side can determine that aninstruction for clicking up is given, and perform processingaccordingly.

In addition, suppose that the lower push operation described withreference to FIG. 5C is performed on the side switch unit of theelectronic pen according to the present embodiment. In this case, asindicated in the section of a lower push in FIG. 7 , the capacitivesensors CH1 and CH2 change to “1 (on),” and the pressure sensing sensorsCH5 and CH6 both change to “1 (on).” When such detection outputs areobtained, the information processing device side can determine that aninstruction for clicking down is given, and perform processingaccordingly.

In addition, suppose that the right push operation described withreference to FIG. 6B is performed on the side switch unit of theelectronic pen according to the present embodiment. In this case, asindicated in the section of a right push in FIG. 7 , the capacitivesensors CH2 and CH3 change to “1 (on),” and the pressure sensing sensorCH6 changes to “1 (on).” When such detection outputs are obtained, theinformation processing device side can determine that an instruction forclicking right is given, and perform processing accordingly.

In addition, suppose that the left push operation described withreference to FIG. 6C is performed on the side switch unit of theelectronic pen according to the present embodiment. In this case, asindicated in the section of a left push in FIG. 7 , the capacitivesensors CH2 and CH3 change to “1 (on),” and the pressure sensing sensorCH5 changes to “1 (on).” When such detection outputs are obtained, theinformation processing device side can determine that an instruction forclicking left is given, and perform processing accordingly.

Incidentally, though not illustrated in the figure, when the right sideof a rear end of the side switch unit is pushed, the capacitive sensorsCH3 and CH4 change to “1 (on),” and the pressure sensing sensor CH6changes to “1 (on).” Similarly, when the left side of the rear end ofthe side switch unit is pushed, the capacitive sensors CH3 and CH4change to “1 (on),” and the pressure sensing sensor CH5 changes to “1(on).”

In addition, though not illustrated in the figure, when the right sideof a front end (pen tip side) of the side switch unit is pushed, thecapacitive sensors CH1 and CH2 change to “1 (on),” and the pressuresensing sensor CH6 changes to “1 (on).” Similarly, when the left side ofthe front end (pen tip side) of the side switch unit is pushed, thecapacitive sensors CH1 and CH2 change to “1 (on),” and the pressuresensing sensor CH5 changes to “1 (on).” Hence, these operations can alsobe distinguished from one another, so that, needless to say,predetermined functions can be assigned to these operations.

Example of General Configuration of Electronic Pen

As also described above, the electronic pen according to the presentembodiment can multiplex detection outputs from the sensor unit 3constituting the side switch unit in a position indication signal andsend out the multiplexed detection outputs to the position detectingdevice side, or send out the detection outputs to the position detectingdevice side by short-range wireless communication. However, theconfiguration of the electronic pen differs according to a method oftransmitting the detection outputs. In the following, description willbe made of an example of a configuration of an electronic pen thatmultiplexes the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 in a positionindication signal and sends out the multiplexed detection outputs to theposition detecting device side and an example of a configuration of anelectronic pen that sends out the detection outputs to the positiondetecting device side by short-range wireless communication.Incidentally, the electronic pens to be described in the following willbe described as examples of a case where the present disclosure isapplied to an electronic pen of the AES system that sends out a positionindication signal from a conductive core body.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of assistance in explaining an example of aconfiguration of an electronic pen in a case of multiplexing contents ofoperation on the side switch unit in a position indication signal andsending out the multiplexed operation contents. The electronic penillustrated in FIG. 8 includes a conductive core body 5, an oscillatingcircuit 6, a pen pressure detecting portion 7 having a configuration ofa variable-capacitance capacitor, a power supply circuit 8, and acontroller 9, and is configured such that the detection outputs from thesensor unit 3 of the side switch unit are supplied to the controller 9.The oscillating circuit 6 and the controller 9 can be driven by beingsupplied with driving electric power from the power supply circuit 8.

In the case of the electronic pen illustrated in FIG. 8 , the controller9 controls the oscillating circuit 6 to shift sending-out timing of theposition indication signal and sending-out timing of the detectionoutputs from the sensor unit 3 from each other, the position indicationsignal and the detection outputs being sent out through the core body 5.That is, in timing of sending out the position indication signal, thecontroller 9 controls the oscillating circuit 6 to oscillate apredetermined position indication signal and send out the positionindication signal through the core body 5. In addition, in timing ofsending out the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3, the controller9 supplies the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 to theoscillating circuit 6.

The oscillating circuit 6 oscillates a signal corresponding to thedetection outputs of the sensor unit 3 from the controller 9, and sendsout the signal through the core body 5. Thus, the position indicationsignal and the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 can betime-division multiplexed, output from the core body 5, and transmittedto the position detecting device side. Incidentally, informationindicating a pen pressure can be included in the position indicationsignal, or the information indicating the pen pressure can also betime-division multiplexed and transmitted.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of assistance in explaining an example of aconfiguration of an electronic pen in a case of sending out contents ofoperation on the side switch unit by short-range wireless communication.The electronic pen illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a conductive core body5, an oscillating circuit 6, a pen pressure detecting portion 7 having aconfiguration of a variable-capacitance capacitor, a power supplycircuit 8, a controller 10, a short-range wireless communication circuitCM, and an antenna AT. The electronic pen in the present example is alsoconfigured such that the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 of theside switch unit are supplied to the controller 10. The oscillatingcircuit 6, the controller 10, and the short-range wireless communicationcircuit CM can be driven by being supplied with driving electric powerfrom the power supply circuit 8.

In the case of the electronic pen illustrated in FIG. 9 , the controller10 controls the oscillating circuit 6 to generate a position indicationsignal and send out the position indication signal through the core body5. Further, the controller 10 performs control to form a transmissionsignal from the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 of the sideswitch unit, supply the transmission signal to the short-range wirelesscommunication circuit CM, and transmit the transmission signal throughthe antenna AT. Thus, the position indication signal can be transmittedto the position detecting device side through the core body 5, as isconventional, and the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 can betransmitted to the information processing device of the positiondetecting device side by short-range wireless communication.

Thus, according to the configuration of the electronic pen, thedetection outputs from the sensor unit 3 constituting the side switchunit can be multiplexed in a position indication signal and sent outfrom the core body 5, or can be sent out by short-range wirelesscommunication. As to a path by which to send out the detection outputsfrom the sensor unit 3, it suffices to use an appropriate path accordingto functions of the position detecting device, functions of theinformation processing device of the position detecting device side, andthe like.

Incidentally, in a case where the electronic pen is an electronic pen ofthe EMR system, a variable-capacitance capacitor that changes incapacitance according to the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 isconnected in parallel to a resonance circuit in advance. Thus, thedetection outputs from the sensor unit 3 can be superimposed and sentout as a change in phase of the position indication signal. In addition,also in the case of the electronic pen of the EMR system, the positionindication signal and the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 canbe sent out through the same path by time-division multiplexing thatseparates the sending-out timing of the usual position indication signaland the transmission timing of the detection outputs from the sensorunit 3 from each other. In addition, also in the case of the electronicpen of the EMR system, as in the case of the electronic pen illustratedin FIG. 9 , the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 can be sent outby short-range wireless communication separately from the positionindication signal.

Effects of Embodiment

According to the electronic pen in the foregoing embodiment, it ispossible to realize an electronic pen including a side switch that has asimple configuration and enables instruction inputs of a plurality ofstates to be performed easily and properly. More specifically, bysuperimposing and arranging touch sensors of different detectionsystems, it is possible to realize an electronic pen including a sideswitch that can receive many kinds of operation inputs withoutincreasing the size of the side switch unit itself.

Modifications

Incidentally, in the case of the electronic pen according to theforegoing embodiment, the sensor unit is formed by providing thepressure sensing sensors in a lower layer and providing the capacitivesensors in an upper layer as viewed from an operation surface side.However, there is no limitation to this. The sensor unit may be formedby providing the capacitive sensors in the lower layer and providing thepressure sensing sensors in the upper layer as viewed from the operationsurface side.

In addition, in the case of the electronic pen according to theforegoing embodiment, the four capacitive sensors are provided in theaxial direction, and the two pressure sensing sensors are provided in adirection intersecting the axial direction. However, there is nolimitation to this. It suffices to provide two or more capacitivesensors in the axial direction and provide two or more pressure sensingsensors in the direction intersecting the axial direction. That is, thesensor unit 3 can be formed by arranging a plurality of capacitivesensors in the axial direction and arranging a plurality of pressuresensing sensors in the direction intersecting the axial direction.

In addition, in the case of the electronic pen according to theforegoing embodiment, the planar portion 1 u of the holding member 1 isprovided with the first projecting portions (ribs) 11 and 12 and thesecond projecting portion (pivot) 13 to thereby obtain the detectionoutputs from the sensor unit 3 appropriately. However, there is nolimitation to this. As long as desired detection outputs are obtained,the first projecting portions (ribs) 11 and 12 and the second projectingportion (pivot) 13 may not be provided. In addition, it is possible toprovide the planar portion 1 u of the holding member 1 with the firstprojecting portions (ribs) 11 and 12 and not to provide the planarportion 1 u with the second projecting portion (pivot) 13, orconversely, it is possible to provide the planar portion 1 u with thesecond projecting portion 13 and not to provide the planar portion 1 uwith the first projecting portions 11 and 12.

In addition, in the case of sending out the detection outputs from thesensor unit 3 by short-range wireless communication, short-rangewireless communications of various standards including the Bluetooth(registered trademark) standard can be used. In addition, the electronicpen and the information processing device operated by using theelectronic pen are usually present in close vicinity to each other.Therefore, the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 can betransmitted to the information processing device side by using infraredcommunication. In addition, it is possible to establish a wiredconnection between the electronic pen and the information processingdevice operated by using the electronic pen, by using a cable, andtransmit the detection outputs from the sensor unit 3 through the cable.

In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, the holding member 1 has beendescribed as having a substantially cylindrical shape. However, there isno limitation to this. A function of the holding member 1 is to preventa pressure from being applied to the electronic pen main body unit whenthe side switch unit is depressed. Therefore, needless to say, theholding member 1 may be formed in what is generally called a half pipeshape obtained by cutting a pipe in half in a longitudinal direction oras a plate-shaped body, and fixed to the inner wall surface of the penbody PB.

In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, description has been made ofsix kinds of possible inputs, that is, sliding up, sliding down,clicking up, clicking down, clicking right, and clicking left throughthe side switch unit. It is possible to determine on the informationprocessing device side what processing to perform in response to theseoperation inputs.

In addition, in the foregoing embodiment, description has been made ofthe use of capacitive sensors and pressure sensing sensors as two kindsof touch sensors of different detection systems. However, there is nolimitation to this. For example, pressure sensing sensors having aconfiguration of a button switch can be used. That is, the side switchunit of the electronic pen according to the present disclosure can beformed by using capacitive sensors and what is generally called forcesensors capable of detecting pressing. However, in the case of using thecapacitive sensors and the pressure sensing sensors, it is possible toreduce both the thickness of the side switch unit and the area of theoperation surface.

In addition, the pen body PB may be formed as a tubular body having apolygonal section in a direction intersecting the axial direction, andside switch units of the above-described configuration may be providedto a plurality of different side surfaces. In addition, depending on thewidth of a side surface, one pressure sensing sensor, rather than aplurality of pressure sensing sensors, may be provided. In this case,left and right clicking operations cannot be performed. However, itsuffices to change operation contents received by the side switch unitsfor the respective side surfaces of the pen body, for example. Inaddition, needless to say, only the part provided with the side switchunit in the pen body PB may be formed in a planar shape.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   FC: Front cap    -   PB: Pen body    -   1: Holding member    -   11, 12: First projecting portion (rib)    -   13: Second projecting portion (pivot)    -   14, 15: Fitting hole    -   2: Elastic member    -   21, 22: First hole portion    -   23: Second hole portion    -   24: Slit    -   3: Sensor unit    -   30: Flexible board    -   31: Sensor arrangement portion    -   31 a, 31 b: Hole portion    -   32: Extending portion    -   33: Connector portion    -   4: Operating member    -   41 a, 41 b: Leg portion    -   CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4: Capacitive sensor    -   CH5, CH6: Pressure sensing sensor    -   Bd1, Bd2: Substrate    -   FE1: First electrode    -   FE2: Second electrode    -   Ads: Adhesive layer    -   5: Core body    -   6: Oscillating circuit    -   7: Pen pressure detecting portion    -   8: Power supply circuit    -   9, 10: Controller    -   CM: Short-range wireless communication circuit    -   AT: Antenna

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent applicationpublications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patentapplications and non-patent publications referred to in thisspecification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet areincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of theembodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of thevarious patents, applications and publications to provide yet furtherembodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

1. An electronic pen comprising: a tubular casing configured to be heldby a user; and a side switch unit provided at a side surface of thetubular casing and configured to receive an operation input by the user;and wherein the side switch unit includes a sensor unit in which twokinds of touch sensors of different detection systems are disposed suchthat respective sensor regions of the two kinds of the touch sensors aresuperimposed on each other.
 2. The electronic pen according to claim 1,wherein: the two kinds of touch sensors are a capacitive touch sensorand a pressure sensing touch sensor.
 3. The electronic pen according toclaim 1, wherein: the two kinds of touch sensors are a capacitive touchsensor and a pressure sensing touch sensor, and the capacitive touchsensor is on an upper side of the side switch unit, and the pressuresensing touch sensor is on a lower side of the side switch unit.
 4. Theelectronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: the two kinds of touchsensors are a capacitive touch sensor and a pressure sensing touchsensor, and the pressure sensing touch sensor is on an upper side of theside switch unit, and the capacitive touch sensor is on a lower side ofthe side switch unit.
 5. The electronic pen according to claim 1,wherein: the two kinds of touch sensors are a capacitive touch sensorand a pressure sensing touch sensor, the capacitive touch sensorincludes a plurality of capacitive touch sensors arranged in an axialdirection of the tubular casing, and the pressure sensing touch sensorincludes a plurality of pressure sensing touch sensors arranged in adirection intersecting the axial direction of the tubular casing.
 6. Theelectronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: the side switch unitincludes: a holding member disposed within the tubular casing, anelastic member disposed on an upper surface of the holding member, andan operating member disposed on an upper surface of the elastic memberand configured to receive an operation by the user, and the sensor unitis disposed between the elastic member and the operating member.
 7. Theelectronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: the side switch unitincludes: a holding member disposed within the tubular casing and havinga projecting portion that divides an operation region in an axialdirection of the tubular casing and has a width extending in a directionintersecting the axial direction, an elastic member disposed on an uppersurface of the holding member and having a hole portion into which theprojecting portion is fitted at a position corresponding to theprojecting portion, and an operating member disposed on an upper surfaceof the elastic member and configured to receive an operation by theuser, and the sensor unit is disposed between the elastic member and theoperating member.
 8. The electronic pen according to claim 1, wherein:the side switch unit includes: a holding member disposed within thetubular casing and having a projecting portion that divides an operationregion in a direction intersecting an axial direction of the tubularcasing and has a width extending in the axial direction, an elasticmember disposed on an upper surface of the holding member and having ahole portion into which the projecting portion is fitted at a positioncorresponding to the projecting portion, and an operating memberdisposed on an upper surface of the elastic member and configured toreceive an operation by the user, and the sensor unit is disposedbetween the elastic member and the operating member.
 9. The electronicpen according to claim 1, wherein: the side switch unit includes: aholding member disposed within the tubular casing and having a firstprojecting portion that divides an operation region in an axialdirection of the tubular casing and has a width extending in a directionintersecting the axial direction and a second projecting portion thatdivides the operation region in a direction intersecting the axialdirection and has a width extending in the axial direction, an elasticmember disposed on an upper surface of the holding member and having afirst hole portion into which the first projecting portion is fitted ata position corresponding to the first projecting portion and a secondhole portion into which the second projecting portion is fitted at aposition corresponding to the second projecting portion, and anoperating member disposed on an upper surface of the elastic member andconfigured to receive an operation by the user, and the sensor unit isdisposed between the elastic member and the operating member.
 10. Theelectronic pen according to claim 1, wherein: the tubular casing has apolygonal section in a direction intersecting an axial direction of thetubular casing, and the side switch unit is provided at one or moredifferent side surfaces of the polygonal section of the tubular casing.11. The electronic pen according to claim 1, comprising: an oscillatingcircuit; and a core body formed of a conductive material, wherein thecore body, in operation, transmits a signal from the oscillatingcircuit, and wherein the oscillating circuit, in operation, multiplexesan instruction input received through the sensor unit in a positionindication signal and supplies the multiplexed instruction input to thecore body.
 12. The electronic pen according to claim 1, comprising: ashort-range wireless communication circuit, wherein the short-rangewireless communication circuit includes an instruction input receivedthrough the sensor unit in a signal to be output, and transmits theinstruction input.